In the past a lot of people would extract the underlying MSI from the executable to install it that way. However I’ve tested it using a few of their switches, some cursory Googling helped me find some commands that would perform the tasks I wanted. For some reason just uploading the executable and specifying the switches didn’t work. So instead I created an install.bat, which is better anyways because it will now check for Skype being installed prior to installation. This will silently install just the program, and won't launch it after the install, and make sure to not restart the machine. The install.bat is located under scripts.

This was posted under Skype 5 so i copied and pasted here after making a new tag. Thanks to user Starzinger for the great post !

This is for Skype 6.0 Business

In my case, i wanted the package to:

*Install silentlly*Disable Skypes auto update check/Check for newer versions*Remove the icon from the desktop*Disable Skype from starting automaticlly after deployment/computer reboot*Install for All Users

First, download the business version and save the SkypeSetup.msi file in a folder named Skype for example.

This link will give you the .msi version current as of today: (Feb 2013)

http://download.skype.com/msi/SkypeSetup_6.0.0.126.msi

0

Note

I've been searching where the setting to untick "Options / Notifications / Alerts & Messages / Promotions" is saved on the system. And I can say I finally found it in a config.xml file which holds more settings as well.

1) Turn off Skype completely so that it is not in your SysTray;

2) Go to this folder: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Skype\YourSkypeHandleName;

3) Locate the file named: config.xml;

4) Edit and locate <DisablePromo>0</DisablePromo>

5) Change the value from 0 to 1

6) Save the config.xml file and restart Skype.

Next step is to build something to change this setting for all users on every computer, but at least I found where it was as it wasn't turning up on snapshots or process monitor.

That's it! While researching, I also found the following business guide. While a couple of years old, it may have some useful information: http://download.skype.com/share/business/guides/skype-it-administrators-guide.pdf

This unfortunately does not work. I have written a blog post to address this issue.
http://msiworld.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/packaging-skype-with-auto-update.html

0

Note

I got tired of the clustershot way that Skype puts all its deployment features. I created an transform that.

1) - Kills the desktop shortcut

2) - Kills autorun

3) - Kills autoupdate

I tend to apply my transforms to my .msi's in order to reduce complexity. So here's the msi switches I use on top. Stops Skype from opening after install, removes previous versions, and installs for All Users rather than the logged on user. Obviously to use the Transform rather than apply it, just add the transform switch as well.